John Cooney to relish his showdown with in-form Danny Care

Cooney was disappointed when Ulster let a lead slip against DragonsDERYCK FOSTER/INPHO

European weeks tend to bring out the “ah shucks” smiles on Ulster’s John Cooney when he casts his mind back to his debut in the European Champions Cup’s predecessor, the Heineken Cup — coming on as a replacement for Leinster against Ulster and picking up his medal in 2012.

Now well settled into his new posting up north after a spell in Connacht, he has been one of a number of players asked to perform a variety of roles for Les Kiss’ side as they plugged holes left by the autumn internationals and a mounting injury list.

As a recognised kicker now, one might have thought he would have accepted the challenge of the last-second conversion attempt last weekend against Dragons, but instead it was…

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